APSN Banner

Death threatened for disrupting food

Source
Agence France Presse - September 8, 1998

Jakarta – Anyone caught disrupting Indonesian government moves to beat food shortages could face execution, Justice Minister Muladi warned Tuesday as anger mounted over price hikes and the scarcity of vital supplies.

"The government will act sternly against anyone trying to disrupt the provision of food and clothing for the people," Muladi told reporters. Muladi did not specify who the threat was directed at but economists have blamed speculators and rising corruption for shortages which have sparked rioting in several areas.

"The government is giving a great deal of attention to meeting the demand of the people," Muladi said. "There is a law No. 5, 1959, which says that anyone who tries to hinder government efforts to provide food and clothes to the people could face death." "I think it is important for us to think about implementing this."

Muladi's statement came amid mounting anger against food shortages and soaring prices of staple goods and hours after police clashed with students demanding the resignation of President B.J Habibe. There is also growing resentment at speculators active in the food market and mismanagement of the country's rice stocks.

Muladi was speaking after the opening of the third annual Asia-Pacific Forum on Human Rights Issues, said that the law, passed when Indonesia was campaigning to win the former Dutch colony of Western New Guinea was still valid.

As well as demanding the resignation of Habibie, the students in the largest show of force since the new government came to power in May, called for immediate cuts in food prices which have soared wildly since the country was hit by its worst economic crisis in years last year. Muladi said the government had only been in power for three months, and it was facing complex problems that needed time to solve.

Country